trộm vía

Vietnamese

Etymology

From trộm (“to steal”) +‎ vía (“po”). Perhaps used as a superstitious precaution against potential damage to a child's weak po, or an evil spirit that might take something good away from it if you don't compliment it properly.

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [t͡ɕom˧˨ʔ viə˧˦]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʈom˨˩ʔ viə˨˩˦]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʈom˨˩˨ viə˦˥] ~ [ʈom˨˩˨ jiə˦˥]

Interjection

trộm vía

1. (Northern Vietnam) used before complimenting an infant

   Trộm vía, cháu bé bụ bẫm quá!

   Oh my! What a chubby baby you've got there!